Gerontius Boult 1968 DVD ICA Classics

[Prommer]

Just got my copy! What a treat.

[Lordgeous]

Me too!

[ahinton]

Oh, how deeply I resent Janet Baker! She retired from singing nearly 35 years ago yet she's only 83 now. What did any of us ever do to her to persuade her to withdraw so uniquely wondrous a vocal gift from public earshot - and so soon, too?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It struck me as I watched and listened that according to the text the Angel is definitely male. I know Elgar intended a woman to sing it, but I wonder if a countertenor could do it, and what it would be like if he did.

An interesting idea, and perhaps someone should try this. But as you say, the composer intended a woman to sing it, and employed Margaret Balfour and others to do so.

[Mary Chambers]

Oh, how deeply I resent Janet Baker! She retired from singing nearly 35 years ago yet she's only 83 now. What did any of us ever do to her to persuade her to withdraw so uniquely wondrous a vocal gift from public earshot - and so soon, too?

She didn't want to go on until her voice started to decline, as too many singers have done. Also, she said she was not an energetic person, and it was a very exhausting life. You probably know all this. I think she was wise.